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The Life She Wanted
New York in the 1920s—a time when fortunes are made and a woman’s dreams are challenged against all odds in a sweeping historical novel by the international bestselling author of The Light After the War.
1926, Hyde Park, New York. Born to modest means but befriended by the wealthy, aspiring dress designer Pandora Carmichael has been surrounded by privilege yet never at home in it. That hasn’t stopped her from dreaming—of a romance in a rarified world that could also give her the status and resources to start a business of her own. When she’s introduced to a charismatic Princeton student, Pandora’s future begins to fall into place.
Marriage provides Pandora with a devoted husband, comfortable love, and the prominence and affluence to open a boutique. It’s a fantasy realized, until scandal and tragedy upend Pandora’s life and she flees Hyde Park with a heart-wrenching secret. As the Depression looms, Pandora must rethink everything she’s ever wanted.
From sprawling Gilded Age mansions in New York to the seedy underbelly of Greenwich Village and the stunning ocean vistas of the French Riviera, Pandora’s escape is a journey of self-discovery, adventure, true love, and ambition. There are new dreams to be had, and Pandora is betting on herself to make them come true.
1926, Hyde Park, New York. Born to modest means but befriended by the wealthy, aspiring dress designer Pandora Carmichael has been surrounded by privilege yet never at home in it. That hasn’t stopped her from dreaming—of a romance in a rarified world that could also give her the status and resources to start a business of her own. When she’s introduced to a charismatic Princeton student, Pandora’s future begins to fall into place.
Marriage provides Pandora with a devoted husband, comfortable love, and the prominence and affluence to open a boutique. It’s a fantasy realized, until scandal and tragedy upend Pandora’s life and she flees Hyde Park with a heart-wrenching secret. As the Depression looms, Pandora must rethink everything she’s ever wanted.
From sprawling Gilded Age mansions in New York to the seedy underbelly of Greenwich Village and the stunning ocean vistas of the French Riviera, Pandora’s escape is a journey of self-discovery, adventure, true love, and ambition. There are new dreams to be had, and Pandora is betting on herself to make them come true.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2023
5505 people are currently reading
20884 people want to read
About the author
Anita Abriel
6 books459 followersAnita Abriel was born in Sydney, Australia. She received a BA in English Literature with a minor in Creative Writing from Bard College. She lives in California with her family and is the author of The Light After the War which was inspired by her mother’s story of survival during WWII.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 804 reviews
September 18, 2023
Watch out for the main character, a strong female lead who’s surely going to blow your mind.
And yes, be ready to get surprised when once you start reading the book you would not be able to stop.
There I warned you!
I love the female characters so much, the way they’re written, how independent and strong they actually are despite the struggles they were going through.
But you will know how heartwarming it is when a woman supports another woman through thick and thin.
Focus on the main character, Pandora. And another male character, Archie. I would say do not expect much on the romance but rather on the characters and their purpose.
I like how different this book is. I thought it would be another romance read. But I am totally surprised with how much the writing is focused solely on the characters, staying true to the title.
I love Pandora. I wish there were more involvement of the side characters. I wish I know Archie more.
Thank you, Montlake, for the advance reading copy.
And yes, be ready to get surprised when once you start reading the book you would not be able to stop.
There I warned you!
I love the female characters so much, the way they’re written, how independent and strong they actually are despite the struggles they were going through.
But you will know how heartwarming it is when a woman supports another woman through thick and thin.
Focus on the main character, Pandora. And another male character, Archie. I would say do not expect much on the romance but rather on the characters and their purpose.
I like how different this book is. I thought it would be another romance read. But I am totally surprised with how much the writing is focused solely on the characters, staying true to the title.
I love Pandora. I wish there were more involvement of the side characters. I wish I know Archie more.
Thank you, Montlake, for the advance reading copy.
April 23, 2023
It was 1926 and Pandora Carmichael's father had played at Wimbledon and was now a tennis coach. While not poor, they weren't wealthy like the families they knew, and the privileges those families knew were not Pandora's. She wanted to become a dress designer - it was all she'd ever dreamed of, and owning her own business was a part of that. When Pandora met the son of a family friend, and fell in love with him, her future seemed assured. Her wedding was beautiful - perfect for Pandora, and his parents made her feel like part of the family. But tragedy and scandal were to follow, in part the stock market crash, and it wasn't long before Pandora was fleeing New York for the French Riviera where a student of her father's lived.
Would she survive the scandal that was still front page news in New York? Could she return - or would she work on her designs in a place she'd grown to love?
The Life She Wanted by Aussie author Anita Abriel is set in an age of new beginnings, a time when women weren't able to earn a lot of money, where they couldn't get a bank loan unless it was in their husband's name. Pandora was filled with ambition and although naïve at the beginning of the story, she soon came into her own, finding herself and the person she was meant to be. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Would she survive the scandal that was still front page news in New York? Could she return - or would she work on her designs in a place she'd grown to love?
The Life She Wanted by Aussie author Anita Abriel is set in an age of new beginnings, a time when women weren't able to earn a lot of money, where they couldn't get a bank loan unless it was in their husband's name. Pandora was filled with ambition and although naïve at the beginning of the story, she soon came into her own, finding herself and the person she was meant to be. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2023
Basic
Was this a YA book? It certainly read like one. Very shallow, little to no character development and horribly repetitive dialogue. There was nothing that stands out from this book that I'll remember in a week, let alone a year. Don't bother.
Was this a YA book? It certainly read like one. Very shallow, little to no character development and horribly repetitive dialogue. There was nothing that stands out from this book that I'll remember in a week, let alone a year. Don't bother.
July 3, 2023
Pandora Carmichael's father is a tennis coach, they live in a cottage on the Van Luyen's grand estate Riverview in Hyde Park, New York. Pandora has always been treated like one of the family and she grew up playing alongside Archie and Virginia.
Pandora dreams of being a dress designer, she attends a party with Virginia, and so do Archie's friends from Princeton. Pandora has grown up surrounded by wealth, she's not from their class and her father wants her to enroll at a secretarial school. Pandora is surprised when a handsome banker proposes, her mother-in-law helps her plan their lavish wedding, and she can’t wait to have children of her own and maybe one day open her own boutique.
Unfortunately, Pandora doesn’t have a crystal ball, she has no idea a shocking scandal is about to be published in the newspapers and followed by a tragedy. Pandora leaves Hyde Park, she travels to the French Rivera and stays with one of her fathers tennis protégés. This gives Pandora time to think, let the situation in America cool down and plan her next move. Pandora hears about the Wall Street Crash, it’s not until she returns to the United States that she understands how bad things are, she has to start again, and workout how she make and sell her own line of women's sportswear?
I received a copy of The Life She Wanted by Anita Abriel from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The narrative looks at life in New York in the 1920’s and how wealthy family’s lived, sons were expected to follow in their father’s footsteps and daughters marry well, and everyone owned multiple homes. Pandora discovers a family’s reputation is everything, they don’t want it tarnished and it’s all a facade.
You follow Pandora from New York, to the French Riviera, and Paris and back home again. A story about Pandora growing up, she's rather young and naive at the beginning, her passion for clothes and fashion, she overcomes adversity and disappointment, has a fresh start and finds love. I recommend, The Life She Wanted and the authors previous book, The Light After the War and four stars from me.
Pandora dreams of being a dress designer, she attends a party with Virginia, and so do Archie's friends from Princeton. Pandora has grown up surrounded by wealth, she's not from their class and her father wants her to enroll at a secretarial school. Pandora is surprised when a handsome banker proposes, her mother-in-law helps her plan their lavish wedding, and she can’t wait to have children of her own and maybe one day open her own boutique.
Unfortunately, Pandora doesn’t have a crystal ball, she has no idea a shocking scandal is about to be published in the newspapers and followed by a tragedy. Pandora leaves Hyde Park, she travels to the French Rivera and stays with one of her fathers tennis protégés. This gives Pandora time to think, let the situation in America cool down and plan her next move. Pandora hears about the Wall Street Crash, it’s not until she returns to the United States that she understands how bad things are, she has to start again, and workout how she make and sell her own line of women's sportswear?
I received a copy of The Life She Wanted by Anita Abriel from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The narrative looks at life in New York in the 1920’s and how wealthy family’s lived, sons were expected to follow in their father’s footsteps and daughters marry well, and everyone owned multiple homes. Pandora discovers a family’s reputation is everything, they don’t want it tarnished and it’s all a facade.
You follow Pandora from New York, to the French Riviera, and Paris and back home again. A story about Pandora growing up, she's rather young and naive at the beginning, her passion for clothes and fashion, she overcomes adversity and disappointment, has a fresh start and finds love. I recommend, The Life She Wanted and the authors previous book, The Light After the War and four stars from me.
July 21, 2023
Not my usual, but very well written.
I wish there were a little less of the main character winning all her battles, riding off into the sunset.......
I do realize this is the title, but maybe develop some depth to the character before she betrays everyone and gets everything she ever wanted.
Would I read it again? No
Love the travel pictures painted through the beautiful illustrations in the novelists writing......
I wish there were a little less of the main character winning all her battles, riding off into the sunset.......
I do realize this is the title, but maybe develop some depth to the character before she betrays everyone and gets everything she ever wanted.
Would I read it again? No
Love the travel pictures painted through the beautiful illustrations in the novelists writing......
October 3, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley & Lake Union Publishing for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
All surface and no depth, The Life She Wanted reads like a teenager’s diary entry planning out a future life. Pandora is flighty and shallow and stumbles into good fortune over and over despite making terrible decisions.
There’s no struggle or true overcoming adversity. Pandora hides, denies, or runs away whenever things get too hard. I would’ve so much rather followed Millie or Virginia -they showed more character in their brief appearances than Pandora did throughout the entire book.
I finished The Life She Wanted feeling pretty average, but it almost makes me angry after writing it all out. Abriel uses Harley’s sexuality and real historical moments of importance (from WWI to women’s rights to the Great Depression) as plot points for Pandora to ‘overcome’ rather than as topics to explore. She takes a modern viewpoint and tries to force it on her characters, making many of them feel very disjointed from their counterparts. The entire thing felt awkward, clumsy, and mishandled at its worst and shallow and flighty at its best.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
All surface and no depth, The Life She Wanted reads like a teenager’s diary entry planning out a future life. Pandora is flighty and shallow and stumbles into good fortune over and over despite making terrible decisions.
There’s no struggle or true overcoming adversity. Pandora hides, denies, or runs away whenever things get too hard. I would’ve so much rather followed Millie or Virginia -they showed more character in their brief appearances than Pandora did throughout the entire book.
I finished The Life She Wanted feeling pretty average, but it almost makes me angry after writing it all out. Abriel uses Harley’s sexuality and real historical moments of importance (from WWI to women’s rights to the Great Depression) as plot points for Pandora to ‘overcome’ rather than as topics to explore. She takes a modern viewpoint and tries to force it on her characters, making many of them feel very disjointed from their counterparts. The entire thing felt awkward, clumsy, and mishandled at its worst and shallow and flighty at its best.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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June 8, 2023
Loved the title and thought this would be a woman entitlement but instead got a book about a woman who seemed to have everything at no cost and just seemed to coast along the way. She married a man who she had doubts about and as it turns out with good reason but then lo and behold she gets a free pass to go to France for a year ,comes back and is reunited with her real love from early years. Too much spun sugar, too much out of touch reality and way too much not real. Did not even like the heroine who was just so much into herself it was kind of disgusting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2023
“We’re born to be who we are. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
A lovely cover but a story that just wasn't for me. I found the MC silly - flighty, strong-headed in an odd way. She just didn't seem to be living in the reality of her world. As she continued to make silly decisions and hurt those around her, I was baffled. When did the world ever work like this? As things inevitably lined up like dominoes, I was a little frustrated it seemed like it was so easy when I don't believe it was. A cute, light story that just wasn't my thing.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A lovely cover but a story that just wasn't for me. I found the MC silly - flighty, strong-headed in an odd way. She just didn't seem to be living in the reality of her world. As she continued to make silly decisions and hurt those around her, I was baffled. When did the world ever work like this? As things inevitably lined up like dominoes, I was a little frustrated it seemed like it was so easy when I don't believe it was. A cute, light story that just wasn't my thing.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 27, 2023
**Determination**
**4-4.5 Stars**
This story is based in New York in the 1920’s, the main character Pandora grew up barely remembering her mother as she left when she was young but she has a close bond with her father Willie who was a great tennis player now a top instructor to the rich. She was not born into riches but she blends in with them and learns what she can.
In those days women had the raw deal which meant they were only recognised if they had a man by their side a were married. Pandora always wanted to be a fashion designer and as money was short she could only achieve this by being married to someone with means. Her father has always instilled in her that if she married it must be for love.
When she thought she met the man she wanted it did not work out with him meeting someone else.
Now she thinks she has finally found the one, then he reveals something that breaks her heart, they strike a deal and soon the marriage is rocked by scandal. Pandora now with a daughter decides to travel to Paris, this is because the scandal paves the end of her dreams before they are realised as reputation is everything in those circles.
Pandora still has her dream. She is even more determined and finds other avenues. Armed with all the knowledge she has required in Paris she returns to America with a new found determination to make it without a man to help her.
How will her life pan out? Will she be put off as doors are closed one after the other? And will she find the love she always dreamed of?
I really enjoyed this book but the only downside for me is that I would have liked the ending to have a bit of strife then come to conclusion. It will make more sense when or if you read it and if you agree with me. It just seemed a touch contrived.
**4-4.5 Stars**
This story is based in New York in the 1920’s, the main character Pandora grew up barely remembering her mother as she left when she was young but she has a close bond with her father Willie who was a great tennis player now a top instructor to the rich. She was not born into riches but she blends in with them and learns what she can.
In those days women had the raw deal which meant they were only recognised if they had a man by their side a were married. Pandora always wanted to be a fashion designer and as money was short she could only achieve this by being married to someone with means. Her father has always instilled in her that if she married it must be for love.
When she thought she met the man she wanted it did not work out with him meeting someone else.
Now she thinks she has finally found the one, then he reveals something that breaks her heart, they strike a deal and soon the marriage is rocked by scandal. Pandora now with a daughter decides to travel to Paris, this is because the scandal paves the end of her dreams before they are realised as reputation is everything in those circles.
Pandora still has her dream. She is even more determined and finds other avenues. Armed with all the knowledge she has required in Paris she returns to America with a new found determination to make it without a man to help her.
How will her life pan out? Will she be put off as doors are closed one after the other? And will she find the love she always dreamed of?
I really enjoyed this book but the only downside for me is that I would have liked the ending to have a bit of strife then come to conclusion. It will make more sense when or if you read it and if you agree with me. It just seemed a touch contrived.
July 4, 2023
DNF @21%
Pandora this, Pandora that. Owen this, Owen that.
First of all, Owen sucks and Pandora’s annoying. This writing made me want to scream. All of the characters were so two dimensional and not fleshed out. the writing style is reminiscent of a teenager’s writing.
I really could not have been less interested in this book if I tried. It almost feels like a man pretended to be a woman and then tried to write a strong female lead from a “woman’s perspective”. The way all of the women were described in each scene just gave me the ick.
The four and five star reviews all parrot the author and publisher about a “strong female lead” which feels very suspect to me. Don’t read this book!
Pandora this, Pandora that. Owen this, Owen that.
First of all, Owen sucks and Pandora’s annoying. This writing made me want to scream. All of the characters were so two dimensional and not fleshed out. the writing style is reminiscent of a teenager’s writing.
I really could not have been less interested in this book if I tried. It almost feels like a man pretended to be a woman and then tried to write a strong female lead from a “woman’s perspective”. The way all of the women were described in each scene just gave me the ick.
The four and five star reviews all parrot the author and publisher about a “strong female lead” which feels very suspect to me. Don’t read this book!
May 15, 2024
Thought I'd try something new and I'm so glad I picked this one up. It was such a cute story and the way the author wrote made it an easy and quick read 😊
December 13, 2022
This novel is about a strong female protagonist, Pandora Carmichael. It takes place mainly in New York in the late 1920s thru early 1930s. This novel gave me all the feels!!! Frustration and anger at how working women were paid less than men in that time period, how women were viewed that their place was only in the home, and other injustices that took place in that time period. Pandora dreams of one day owning a clothing boutique with her own designed clothes. To get there though, she needs a rich husband. She struggles thru lost love, finding love again only to lose it again. But then maybe there lies one more chance at an old love that remained hidden. I cried a few times while reading this novel. I felt what Pandora felt! The heartache, ups and down, joyful moments. Definitely recommend this novel!!! I was able to read an ARC of this book. Thank you for this opportunity!
It will be available May 2, 2023!!!
It will be available May 2, 2023!!!
August 24, 2023
I feel like I read a different book than these reviewers. The FMC is annoyingly naive and has no character development. The plot, characters, scandals, and ending are all obviously predictable and boring.
July 3, 2023
Thank you #partner Lake Union / Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy!
Hyde Park 1920s: Young Pandora Carmichael was abandoned by her mother, and raised by her Wimbledon-tennis-star-turned-tennis-instructor father. Though she's the help, Pandora rubs elbows with the wealthy as her best friends in the world are Virginia and Archie Van Luyen - the children of her / her father's employer - and she's a frequent guest of theirs at social functions.
Being raised with and around the elite has exposed Pandora to a world of fashion and glamour - but she hasn't the means to make it her own. Because while Pandora and her father are not poor, they're not at all rich, and her options for her future are limited. Her father has scrimped and saved to allow her to attend secretarial school.
But Pandora has big dreams - none of which include secretarial school. She has informally studied fashion for years and has a real talent for design and sewing. She wants to own a boutique some day but lacks the financial support to do so. When she meets and marries a man of means, it seems her dreams will finally become a reality. That is, until scandal and tragedy hit, throwing her world - and her plans - off its axis.
Will Pandora ever become the fashion designer she's always dreamed she'd be? Or will she forever be on the edge of the world she yearns to belong to; an outsider always looking in?
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! It was an easy, quick read, and definitely held my attention. This was well paced with great characterization, and I appreciate the twist the author threw in. I own a couple others by Abriel and look forward to reading them soon! This was a bit lighter than most histfic novels I read, but I love the time period and felt fully immersed in it. I loved Virginia's character the most and hope we get to see her in an upcoming novel 🥰
Hyde Park 1920s: Young Pandora Carmichael was abandoned by her mother, and raised by her Wimbledon-tennis-star-turned-tennis-instructor father. Though she's the help, Pandora rubs elbows with the wealthy as her best friends in the world are Virginia and Archie Van Luyen - the children of her / her father's employer - and she's a frequent guest of theirs at social functions.
Being raised with and around the elite has exposed Pandora to a world of fashion and glamour - but she hasn't the means to make it her own. Because while Pandora and her father are not poor, they're not at all rich, and her options for her future are limited. Her father has scrimped and saved to allow her to attend secretarial school.
But Pandora has big dreams - none of which include secretarial school. She has informally studied fashion for years and has a real talent for design and sewing. She wants to own a boutique some day but lacks the financial support to do so. When she meets and marries a man of means, it seems her dreams will finally become a reality. That is, until scandal and tragedy hit, throwing her world - and her plans - off its axis.
Will Pandora ever become the fashion designer she's always dreamed she'd be? Or will she forever be on the edge of the world she yearns to belong to; an outsider always looking in?
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! It was an easy, quick read, and definitely held my attention. This was well paced with great characterization, and I appreciate the twist the author threw in. I own a couple others by Abriel and look forward to reading them soon! This was a bit lighter than most histfic novels I read, but I love the time period and felt fully immersed in it. I loved Virginia's character the most and hope we get to see her in an upcoming novel 🥰
July 27, 2023
Oh God, why is this book even over 100 pages?? It reads like a 2016 WattPad book. The author tries to squeeze everything in and do so much at once it’s hard to keep track. This, in addition to the numerous EXTREMELY unlikeable characters (Pandora is selfish, insufferable and thinks of herself as ‘not like the other girls’ when she ISN’T, why are there like 587524 men in love with her? Archie is a bore, Virginia is a hypocrite, Owen is… why is he even in this book? Harley is forgettable; it seemed like for a second that the author was going to do something with him after his ‘exit’ but it never amounts to anything.) already makes for a hard read. But what annoys me the most is how it labels itself as historical fiction when it feels like something that the author had to remind themself of it from time to time, it’s chalk full of moments where they name drop historical events but never really discuss how it impacts the characters.
This book tries to be like Evelyn Hugo but falls face first into the dirt, and I’m stuck here wishing I never picked it up. Goodreads needs to stop recommending me the absolute shittiest books 😭
This book tries to be like Evelyn Hugo but falls face first into the dirt, and I’m stuck here wishing I never picked it up. Goodreads needs to stop recommending me the absolute shittiest books 😭
August 24, 2023
nope..
I kept waiting for Pandora not to be a shallow, money hungry, selfish beast and it never happened. She didn’t deserve the ending she got- not because of her mistakes but because she didn’t ever resolve them for anyone else- she only did what she did for her own selfish reasons. The narrative was not any deeper than Pandora and Harley’s story was just cruel. Meh. Glad I didn’t pay for this one.
I kept waiting for Pandora not to be a shallow, money hungry, selfish beast and it never happened. She didn’t deserve the ending she got- not because of her mistakes but because she didn’t ever resolve them for anyone else- she only did what she did for her own selfish reasons. The narrative was not any deeper than Pandora and Harley’s story was just cruel. Meh. Glad I didn’t pay for this one.
June 21, 2023
"I started reading this book thinking it was just another romance and I have been pleasantly surprised. With a firm setting, rich in believable elements, and a protagonist who grows through unthinkable difficulties, we are given a story to treasure. The first pages paint us an immature Pandora: ambitious but naive... as the plot progresses, she flourishes into a determined woman, sure of herself and in charge of her life. A woman who is forced to reinvent herself, starting from scratch. She finds true love, but never allows it to steal the spotlight from her own story.
In short: Applause for the author, who knew how to create such incredible female characters."
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review
In short: Applause for the author, who knew how to create such incredible female characters."
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review
May 31, 2025
I can’t believe Pandora actually agreed to marry Harley after everything he said. Pandora’s father warned her that she needed to go into a marriage knowing that they both loved each other. Harley may say that he loves her, but if he is homosexual, it’s not the same kind of love. Not to mention that Harley gave up his dream of becoming a director and producer because he thought he needed to bring home a better paycheck, and have the appearance of a high standing family. I could tell all of this was going to cause issues for them down the road.
Besides, it was so obvious that Archie had feelings for Pandora. It’s sad that it took her so long to see it herself, but I doubt Archie would have acted on it back then. Pandora wasn’t the kind of woman that his parents wanted him to marry.
Besides, it was so obvious that Archie had feelings for Pandora. It’s sad that it took her so long to see it herself, but I doubt Archie would have acted on it back then. Pandora wasn’t the kind of woman that his parents wanted him to marry.
August 24, 2023
The gilded age setting seemed spot on - from the streets of New York to parties at the great estates, it was immersive and imaginative. The clothing was a fun aspect too that lended itself well to the setting.
I particularly enjoyed the brushes with historical events - the great flood on the east coast, the market crash, etc. I think it could have stood up to some development, but that really wasn't what the book was about.
There were a couple of things that kept it from being a 4 star for me - the character was just a tad bit naive for my tastes, and the random time jumps were a bit off-putting.
I particularly enjoyed the brushes with historical events - the great flood on the east coast, the market crash, etc. I think it could have stood up to some development, but that really wasn't what the book was about.
There were a couple of things that kept it from being a 4 star for me - the character was just a tad bit naive for my tastes, and the random time jumps were a bit off-putting.
August 20, 2023
I acquired this book through Amazon's Kindle First Read. Thank goodness I did not pay for it.
I liked the setting, in NYC in the late 1920's around the Vanderbilts and their friends.
However, I found the characters flat and the plot not very engaging. I do not recommend this book.
I liked the setting, in NYC in the late 1920's around the Vanderbilts and their friends.
However, I found the characters flat and the plot not very engaging. I do not recommend this book.
June 16, 2023
Wealth porn. Predictable and shallow. An exercise in name dropping.
June 18, 2023
Very disappointing. Lists itself as historical fiction but reads more like a woke romance novel. Characters not realistic at all; plot very thin.
August 20, 2023
This book had a lot of potential but in the end, it didn't stand out for me. Pandora reminded me a lot of Sabrina from the old Audrey Hepburn movie. She's set up to be independent and strong, but for most of the book she mostly just bent to the societal norms around her. Meanwhile, her friend was out living her best life. Ultimately, she's only spurred into her independence because she's forced into it. I did like the ending of the book, and who Pandora becomes, but it took too long to get there, despite it being such a short book, and I'd lost interest by then.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
June 14, 2023
A little slow story and character development getting started, yet it ended with some good points.
July 20, 2023
Wow. I finished this book in one day and absolutely loved it. Brings you into a world of lavish things + riches while waiting on the outside. Outstanding character development + change of setting.
Absolutely loved everything Virginia and Pandora stood for and believed in and everyone along the way who helped them get there.
Esme sounds adorable + we can all only hope for a successful career alone and a wonderful husband + family at home without losing our identity.
Absolutely loved everything Virginia and Pandora stood for and believed in and everyone along the way who helped them get there.
Esme sounds adorable + we can all only hope for a successful career alone and a wonderful husband + family at home without losing our identity.
December 28, 2022
Though not born into privilege, Pandora lives at the edge of the glamour and flash of New York in the 1920s. Her friend Virginia takes her to upper crust parties, introducing her to wealthy, affluent figures. When she meets a student from Princeton, Harley Enright, she believes her dreams have come true. Marriage will give her the life she has always wanted, or will it? When scandal and the Great Depression hit Pandora’s life is shattered and she is left to find a way forward, to forge a new life from the ashes.
The premise of this story is a good one, I love books about strong, ambitious women. The thing that held me back with Pandora’s story was the lack of substance to the characters. There wasn’t any depth, no personality that shone through for the reader to grab hold of and say, “yes I know this person” , to relate to them. I need to be able to relate to a character, I need them to speak to me, to touch me, to make me feel as if I know them. There was none of this for me in this book. So even with a good storyline and descriptive passages setting time and place I can only give 3 stars.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
The premise of this story is a good one, I love books about strong, ambitious women. The thing that held me back with Pandora’s story was the lack of substance to the characters. There wasn’t any depth, no personality that shone through for the reader to grab hold of and say, “yes I know this person” , to relate to them. I need to be able to relate to a character, I need them to speak to me, to touch me, to make me feel as if I know them. There was none of this for me in this book. So even with a good storyline and descriptive passages setting time and place I can only give 3 stars.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
August 10, 2023
Very simply written story
Don't let the cover of this book fool you. It may look like a ripoff of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but its not even 1/7 as good. Predictable story that tries too hard to be scandalous when telling the story of a young naive and sometimes stupid girl who makes bad choices but learns the hard way on her journey to becoming a strong, successful woman. Meh.
Don't let the cover of this book fool you. It may look like a ripoff of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but its not even 1/7 as good. Predictable story that tries too hard to be scandalous when telling the story of a young naive and sometimes stupid girl who makes bad choices but learns the hard way on her journey to becoming a strong, successful woman. Meh.
July 21, 2023
3.5 stars from me.
It started out slow before it picked up the pace. I enjoyed the novel but I couldn’t connect with the main character. I wanted to cringe because of her several flaws.
This is a rich gilded era with a strong female with some flaws trying to make it in wealthy’s world. The author painted this colorful world extremely well where you can actually visualize it easily. There are famous names mentioned.
It started out slow before it picked up the pace. I enjoyed the novel but I couldn’t connect with the main character. I wanted to cringe because of her several flaws.
This is a rich gilded era with a strong female with some flaws trying to make it in wealthy’s world. The author painted this colorful world extremely well where you can actually visualize it easily. There are famous names mentioned.
July 31, 2023
Lacked depth
I found the main character self absorbed and immature. I could not relate to her at all. She suffers tragedy but actually never really suffers. It was far to "hallmarkish" with everything falling perfectly into place in the end. The emphasis on sex felt out of place. All the characters are like paper dolls- lots of descriptions about what they wore but zero depth of personality. Read it in two days. Meh....
I found the main character self absorbed and immature. I could not relate to her at all. She suffers tragedy but actually never really suffers. It was far to "hallmarkish" with everything falling perfectly into place in the end. The emphasis on sex felt out of place. All the characters are like paper dolls- lots of descriptions about what they wore but zero depth of personality. Read it in two days. Meh....
June 6, 2023
Slow to start and was very predictable forced myself to read it
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